Santa Monica Business Owners Tackle Homelessness
In Santa Monica, local business owners have come together to launch a grassroots initiative aimed at addressing California’s homelessness crisis. About three weeks ago, property owner John Allen and his fellow business owners brainstormed ways to help reduce the number of homeless individuals on the streets. They devised a voluntary family unification program at Target, which seeks to support those who are homeless and under a year old, helping them reconnect with family in their hometowns.
The initiative, backed by the Santa Monica Union, has co-founded a nonprofit called ALL. This organization allows a small group of donors to fund travel expenses for people taking part in the program. They’ve also set up an AI-driven hotline to manage the influx of requests they’ve been receiving.
Since it was launched in June, the hotline has fielded over 500 calls and has managed to assist eight individuals in reuniting with their families.
According to Allen, the program offers a scalable solution that can be applied repeatedly, especially as cities and counties are grappling with inefficacies in their approaches to homelessness. He believes that using simple, effective strategies can yield better results than simply focusing on housing initiatives, which he feels haven’t worked over the past few years.
In interviews, Allen shared videos of participants traveling back to their homes in Pennsylvania and Wyoming, expressing how they were excited about returning to family after struggling in California. “Homelessness and crime seem to rise in tandem with funding increases, which, honestly, doesn’t suggest that the current system is effective,” he noted.
Allen is clear that his program is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, he sees it as a step in the right direction. He acknowledges that there are various levels of homelessness, and while some individuals require extensive institutional support, his initiative is tailored for those who are motivated to change.
Participation in the program comes with specific requirements. Individuals must provide valid identification to travel and ensure that family or friends are ready to receive them upon arrival. A review process is in place to confirm these arrangements before participants can join the program.
The local group believes that current city and county solutions have failed to address growing issues in the area, leading to increased crime and homelessness. The Santa Monica Union has even launched a flyer campaign urging people to stay away from the city due to rising crime rates and inadequate support for the homeless.
In response to ongoing issues, the coalition has filed lawsuits against various county health officials, taking issue with how local policies are impacting public safety. Meanwhile, Allen points out that gangs have exacerbated the situation, expressing frustration over the damage done to his property and the lack of action from city officials.
Despite the challenges, Allen remains hopeful that their reunification program can help make a meaningful impact. He also mentioned that Santa Monica already has a long-standing initiative called Project Homecoming, which has successfully reunited over 3,200 individuals with their families since its launch in 2006.
Through community efforts and innovative strategies, local business owners are taking steps to address homelessness, a complex issue that many feel has been mishandled for far too long.
